Lifetime Achievement

This award seeks to recognise an individual whose significant contributions, over a minimum span of 15 years, have led to the promotion and growth of excellence within the Food & Beverage industry. This person is a visionary who has constantly strived for higher standards and contributed ideas to influence the development of the Food & Beverage industry.

The Grand Award Recipient will be announced on 30 March 2003.

NK and Melina Yong are no strangers to the gastronomic and wine scene in Singapore. Both are enthusiastic wine and food lovers, well-known in the wine circles of France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, California, Australia and New Zealand. Their favourite hobby is travelling to visit their vintner and chef friends in wineries and restaurants around the world.

NK Yong is a practising cardiothoracic and general surgeon, and was Chairman of the World Council of Management of the International Wine and Food Society (IWFS) from October 1992 to October 1996. In addition, he also conducts wine courses for SOPEXA in a regular basis. Melina's culinary consultant profession has taken her to places such as Hotel Montrachet in Puligny-Montrachet, Cakebread Cellars in Napa Valley, Château Cos D'Estournel and Domaine Romanée-Conti as guest chef.

For their distinguished services, both were awarded the IWFS Andre Simon Silver Medal in 1989, and NK Yong was further awarded the IWFS Andre Simon Gold medal in 1998.

Recently, they hosted the Bordeaux 2000 Wine Tasting, Charity Gala Dinner and Rare & Fine Wine Auction at the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore that raised almost S$150,000.00 with proceeds went to the Dover Park Hospices, Singapore Children's Society and Kidney Dialysis Foundation.